29 May 2011 - ENCS

Pastor Joey Bonifacio spoke to us today
He used Habakkuk 2:1 to show us the way
For when sense God doesn't seem to make
Remember that His promises He will never break
Instant answers we should not expect
Because God's timing we must respect
With God we need to learn to walk
Time with Him we must enjoy, not balk

Habakkuk was an oracle, many questions he did ask
That true faith will have crises, we cannot mask
But if we don't ask, answers we can not get
So if there is confusion, we should not fret

Per Pastor, "God is predictable" in so many ways
He is good, holy, loving, and faithful all of our days
In other words, we should always know the why
For his motives are pure, that is no lie
But "God is unpredictable" Pastor said then
Especially regarding the how and the when
So it is therefore important to know how to wait
Per Psalm 46:10, "being still" we can not overrate
From Desert Storm there was an added benefit
For thousands of Bibles the Mideast did admit

From the passage Pastor made points four
That really took us to the core
The first had to do with our posture
How we stand matters, that's for sure
It is important that we are active, not passive
For God is worth serving as long as we live
The second focused on being at the right place
Even if things don't go at the expected pace
We need to persevere at whatever we do
Instead of trying our hand at something new
The third was to have the right perspective
In this regard, the Bible has so much to give
We should be reading the Bible every day
On our iphone or in some other way
Understand God's purpose was the last
Knowing what He says now, not just in the past
Sometimes waiting is part of God's plan
Pastor told us of when his pain began
That pain helped him realise his true calling
The waiting was much more than stalling

In summary, to unfold our future we are to God let
Posture, place, perspective, purpose - don't forget!

22 May 2011 - ENCS

Pastor Joshua continued the series “Built to Bless”
Based on Genesis 12 verses one to three no less
The Abrahamic covenant promises a great nation
But there will be hindrances as well as elation
These prevent us from blessing others and leading a blessed life
Whether due to circumstances, people, or even strife
“Overcoming Burnout” was the title of Pastor’s talk
How to avoid weariness on our Christian walk
Pastor shared with us keys numbering three
To help us turn despair into energy and glee

Exodus 18:13-17 he started by reading
Moses was doing what the people were needing
But then came along his father-in-law
Who sure did not like what he saw
He told Moses not to do the work all alone
Why not get other elders to join?
In other words, it is not just what we do
But, in God’s eyes, how we do it too
And if we utilise some TEAMWORK
Our energy levels will start to perk
God cares about both the what and the how
We need others to help us in our walk even now

From Galatians 6 verses 8-9 Pastor then read
Sowing to our own flesh will lead to corruption instead
We should not grow weary of doing good
Never give up, even if we could
LED BY THE SPIRIT we need to be
Doing less doesn’t give us more energy
For true energy comes from our God above
With that, we can then go and share his love
This point was repeated in Romans 8:13-14
If we are Spirit-led, a blessed life will be seen

But trials appear even if we do the right things the right way
Per Hebrews 12, run with perseverance each day
Think of the challenges Abraham and Joseph did face
But on God’s word their strong faith they did base
We should LOOK TO JESUS to avoid being weary
For He remained strong and was never bleary

We should walk by faith and not by sight
Asking for God’s help to do things right
And we can ask God for help with little things
We might be surprised by the strength He brings
In summary, if we want to bless and be blessed
We need teamwork, the Spirit, and Jesus-led rest

19 May 2011 - Isaiah 25-27

At BSF, TL spoke of a cause for celebration
Isaiah 25-27 : Rejoicing in the Lord’s Salvation
For pronouncements of judgement can bring joy to the heart
As God will make things right for His people, TL did impart

Isaiah 25 talks of “God’s Perfect Salvation”
Praise God for His attributes, actions, and dedication
Earthly cities may crumble and be destroyed
But for God’s eternal city we should be overjoyed
The banquet He will prepare for us will be great
But that will be overshadowed by the shroud’s fate
His salvation message is meant for everyone
For only He can save us from the wicked one
“Perfect salvation frees one to enjoy God and His marvellous deeds”
In other words, being reconciled with God fulfils all our needs
For separation from God leads to death eternal
Without God, the punishment for our sins will be infernal
What we do today prepares us for a future celebration
Praising God and enjoying His presence should not be an aberration

Isaiah 26 talks of “God’s Perfect Peace”
It is a song of praise that should not cease
The anticipation of deliverance and a steadfast mind
A relationship with God who is trusting and kind
Those who disregard His word face a dire circumstance
‘Tis better to be in tune with God, leaving nothing to chance
The wicked do not learn, for the nature of self is still present
They need a change of heart is what Isaiah and TL meant
Judah’s history is reviewed in verses sixteen to nineteen
(The first fifteen spoke of things that had yet to be seen)
By His people, God’s wrath will once again pass
But for the wicked, there will be punishment – alas!
“Peace is the fruit of a mind fixed on trust in God”
TL also gave Philippians chapter 4 verse 6-7 a nod
For peace is the presence of wholeness of spirit, body, and mind
Even if much turmoil is present, TL did us remind

Isaiah 27 talks of “God’s Perfect Hope”
The phrase ‘in days to come’ helps us to cope
Evil will be destroyed and Israel will be restored
A vineyard bearing much fruit will be the reward
The trumpet is important throughout the ages
Heralding good things on many Biblical pages
“God’s people live hope for the future” TL said
Biblical hope is actually confident assurance instead
That good will triumph over evil we can be sure
Is our relationship with God intimate, vibrant, and pure?

15 May 2011 - Obedience

No church today as people at home were sick
So the devotional topic I got to pick
Obedience seems an appropriate one
Even if doing so is not always fun

From Deuteronomy 10:12 my readings started
About fearing the Lord is what the verse imparted
"To walk in all His ways" must be the goal
Loving and serving God with all our heart and soul
To me this means that in everything that we do
We obey His commands and honor Him too

Then I turned to Job thirteen verse fifteen
He was a man in whom true faith was seen
Job stood alone with no apparent answers to his plight
But knowing that "God is who He is" kept his heart right
So "though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him"
Were Job's words when things looked so dim
Obeying God no matter what the circumstance
Ensures our eternity, leaving nothing to chance

I then read from Psalm 111 verse ten
A phrase repeated in Proverbs 1:7 again
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom"
From this belief, obedience is sure to come
For obeying the one who deserves our full respect
Also ensures that our future He will always protect

In Mark 2:14, Jesus said "follow me"
Levi got up and did so immediately
This is a great example of being obedient to God's call
For taking any other path will lead to a fall

So whether from Moses, Job, David, or Mark
Obedience is key, even if things look dark
But obedience must be complete
If God's wishes we are to meet
So dear God, hear me as I solemnly pray
Give me the wisdom and strength to always obey

11 May 2011 - Isaiah 24

TL went through Isaiah 24 without haste
The lecture was titled “The Earth Laid Waste”
Chapters 24-27 are called the “Little Book of Revelation”
For evil will be conquered by good from heaven

The first part was Isaiah 24 verses one through twelve
Into “God’s Pervasive Judgement” we did delve
The destruction will affect all regardless of hierarchy
To God, class distinctions are pure malarkey
All have defiled the earth and will pay the price
The result of God’s actions will not be nice
As a result of sin, away the Noahic covenant went
“Everything polluted by sin will be desolated by God’s judgement”
Sin is an outrage, turning away from God
It brings eternal consequences, like an iron rod
Of God’s standards we all fall short
To His word do we listen or just retort?

TL then moved on to verses thirteen to sixteen a
About “God’s Majesty” he had a bit to say
In praise and joy, the remnant’s voices will be raised
For all wrongs will be righted, don’t be amazed
“God’s people praise God for His grace even in dire circumstances”
Even if that leads others to give strange and curious glances
For in 2 Timothy 1:8, Paul said without a sign
Of God, don’t be ashamed – just testify
We must follow Jesus in good times and bad
As a result, we should be happy not sad
In our faith, we must always persevere
Our relationship with Christ, intimate and dear
If changes in our lives, we allow the Spirit to make
Like Job, our relationship and faith will be far from fake

Talking of “God’s Glory” in verses sixteen to twenty three
In the New Millenium, a New Jerusalem we will see
God’s judgement for sinners is inescapable
For evil pursues sinners who are culpable
God will throw Satan into the abyss
For 1000 years there will be bliss
Then Satan will once and for ever be defeated
His final destruction God will have meted
Without sin or moon, New Jerusalem will be bright
For God’s glory will provide more than ample light
“Heavenly and earthly powers are no match for the Lord Almighty”
Was the third and final principle for the night that we did see

God is showing us the future
We must be prepared for sure
In our faith, will we stand firm?
Or will we hide like a worm?
Whose strength do we depend on when challenges we face?
Do we praise God and experience His grace?
In conclusion, TL read from 1 Corinthians chapter fifteen
“Death has been swallowed” and its sting will not be seen

8 May 2011 - ENCS

About “faith of our mothers” Pastor Charles did speak
On “five reasons for Mother’s Day” we got a peek
The core text was Proverbs 31 verses ten thru thirty one
A better blueprint for a virtuous mother, there is none
A “because of” started each point
None of which did disappoint

“Obedience to the commandment of God” was number one
Exodus 20:12 applies for every daughter and son
How to honor your mother is then the key
Have a meaningful abundant life for her to see
Pastor also said that words and actions of affirmation
Are better than a gift, no matter what the nation

“Pregnancy and childbirth” was point number two
John 16:21 talks of the pain mothers must go through
But giving birth to a girl or to a boy
Brings about a bigger measure of joy

“Her constant work” was point number three
Walking and talking incessantly
Often the last to bed but the first to rise
Per Proverbs 31:15-17 in front of our eyes
When not at home, things don’t seem right
Due to her nurturing nature and smile so bright

“She prepares and releases her children to the will of God”
Like Moses’ mother who after three months gave him a prod
And the mother of Methodism Susannah Wesley
With ten rules, nineteen children into the world she did see

“Her prayer and faith imparted to her children” was number five
Faith passed down by generation keeps it alive
Per 2 Timothy 1:5 and 3:14-15
The power of generational faith is seen
For nobody prays for children like mothers do
And thus they leave a legacy of strong faith too

So Happy Mother’s Day to all you wonderful women
Thank you for all that you do, and to God I say amen

5 May 2011 - Isaiah 15-23

Through Isaiah chapters fifteen to twenty three TL ran
“God moves human history forward to accomplish his plan”

In the first of the evening’s three applications
TL talked about “God’s authority over the nations”
He spoke about chapters fifteen to seventeen
And the destruction Moab will have seen
Pride and false gods got in their way
Even alliances could not help on that day
For as TL said in a voice quite loud
“God will bring down the proud”
He asked what stops us from giving to God our heart
For not doing so is really not very smart
Remember that God’s warnings are intended
To bring people back to Him before life is ended

As TL moved on to chapters eighteen to twenty
About “God’s grace to the nations”, there is plenty
To hear that Egypt and Assyria will be linked
Indicates that God’s enemies will be extinct
And TL reminded us that even if the outlook appears dim
“God’s grace brings alienated people together to worship Him”
No individual or nation is beyond His sovereign grace
But it comes in different ways and at God’s own pace

TL then covered chapters twenty one to twenty three
“God’s triumph in the nations” we did see
For God’s grace nothing here on earth can hold back
Nations will be destroyed if a relationship with Him they lack
Look what happened to Assyria, Edom, and Babylon
All so powerful but very quickly all were gone
For if God’s grace is repeatedly rejected
There is no atonement or hope to be expected
“God’s gracious removal of false hope makes way”
“For His triumph” on a very glorious day
Remember that failure is not the end of hope
For repentance leads to a new chapter and scope

In summary, it is foolish to conspire against God
For over earthly rulers He can run roughshod

3 May 2011 - Decisions

Over decisions should I really fret?
The answer is no, in Russian "nyet"
It is of course more than just okay
To seek guidance and to the Lord pray
But then instead of wavering back and forth
I should decide and proceed for all it is worth
For as a dear friend did tell me
What God really wants to see
Is what my heart is contemplating
And that on His word I am meditating
What goes into the decision is more important to Him
Than making the 'right' decision on a mere whim
The same friend added to my ongoing consternation
Saying that being tempted did not imply a temptation

And now that the decision has been made
I must be positive and confident, not afraid
Trusting in God to ensure that things get better
Now that I have signed the contract letter
So dear God, please hear my ongoing prayer
About things which you are already aware
And let me have faith in what you can do
For your love and power are always true

1 May 2011 - ENCS

Rachel spoke on “The Power of Rest”
Doing so in the Lord is the best
She read from Exodus 20 verses 8 through 11
The fourth commandment from God in heaven
Of the ten , it takes up the most space
God’s way of highlighting the Sabbath’s place
And whether or not we rest on a Sunday
Taking one day off is really the only way
Sabbath means to rest, refresh, and collect strength
Rachel then examined “rest” at some length
Rest is important and so too is sleep
Our bodies need both if healthy they are to keep
The body, soul, and spirit are the focus of Romans 6-8
All need rest if we are to avoid a bad fate
Rachel said that at night before going to bed
Forget the TV, read God’s word instead
There is no reason to feel guilty about rest
God will provide, but don’t put him to the test
In fact a day of rest is a statement of faith
That is what Rachel did eloquently sayeth
Our time is something of great import
Don’t make God’s work our last resort
Rachel than talked about our life plan
Is it God’s or the possessions of man?
We need to surrender our goals to the Lord
Have no competing affections with His Word
If with His Word our thoughts begin
Then it is much easier not to sin
And so to get true rest complete
Rely on Jesus, as Paul did on Crete

Robbing us of rest is what fear doth do
Work, finances, relationships, health too
Into the past or future, our thoughts are by the enemy sent
But per CS Lewis, God wants our focus here in the present
Per Matthew 6:34, we should not worry about tomorrow
For each day brings forth its own trouble and sorrow
Per 1 John chapter four verse eighteen
Fear is cast out be perfect love, it is seen
Per Matthew 11:29 (and this is no joke)
We should learn from Jesus and carry his yoke
Exodus 34:6 talks of God’s traits five
We should remember them while we are alive
For trials we face are only temporary
Don’t ever think otherwise or be contrary
In 2 Corinthians 12 verse 9, Paul does say
God’s grace is sufficient for us every day
From Nehemiah we learn an important lesson
Keep building, even if there is fighting to be done
Rachel told us that when trials do appear
God can do great things, we should not fear
But in order to fight with a powerful sword
We must know and memorise God’s word
And reading from Psalm 116
Lots of lessons we can glean
But for today, verse seven is the best
“My soul, return to your rest”

So remember that rest is powerful and needed
If our work for God is not to be impeded